Mo., in 2015.

He works as an office-based internist with 
Ascension Michigan in Farmington Hills. His 
father, Gary, works in the same office.
D’
Ascenzo earned a bachelor’s degree in 
human biology, health and society from 
Cornell in 2017 and a doctorate of physical 
therapy from the Massachusetts General 
Hospital Institute of Health Professions in 
Boston in 2020. 
She lives in Boston and is a physical thera-
pist.
Yashinsky pitched seven innings against six 
opponents in his two seasons on the U-M base-
ball team. He’s proud to say his career earned 
run average was a perfect 0.00.
“Obviously, Frankel isn’t a prep school for 
Division I baseball,
” Yashinsky said. “But going 
there helped me fulfil my dream of joining the 
U-M baseball team as a walk-on.
”
Yashinsky said playing sports at Frankel — 
he played golf and basketball in addition to 
baseball — helped prepare him for his career 
outside of sports.
“I learned playing sports at Frankel that 
it’s important to rely on your teammates,
” 
Yashinsky said. “In my office, it takes the entire 
staff to take care of my patients so I can achieve 
my goals for them. I rely on our staff and I’m 
always learning from them.
”
D’
Ascenzo said playing tennis for Frankel 
was fun because she had an opportunity to play 

on the team with her friends, and it prepared 
her for playing on a team in college, quite a 
change from the individual tennis she played in 
the junior ranks.

THEIR JOURNEYS CONTINUE
The seven seniors on the Frankel girls tennis 
team this past spring were asked what their 
future plans were and how playing sports at 
Frankel helped prepare them for what’s ahead. 
Here are their responses:

Maddie Charnas
Varsity sports played at Frankel: Girls tennis 
and volleyball.
Future plans: Attend Michigan State University 
and study packaging.
Playing sports at Frankel: “Helped prepare me 
for my life’s journey because it taught me team-
work and leadership skills.
”

Abbie Gelfand
Varsity sports played at Frankel: Girls tennis.
Future plans: Attend the University of 
Michigan’s College of Literature, Science and 
the Arts, pursuing a pre-criminal law track by 
majoring in political science with a double-mi-
nor in psychology and Judaic Studies.
Playing sports at Frankel: “Taught me about 
commitment, perseverance and determina-
tion. Tennis is a sport that can teach you many 
things about yourself. Playing specifically at 

continued from page 9

 Sam Yashinsky (right) enjoys some family time at work with his daughter Molly, 3, and his father, Gary.

OUR COMMUNITY
ON THE COVER

ALYSSA YASHINSKY

Frankel’s Ryan 
Schmeltz fights off 
an opposing player 
during a boys soccer 
game last fall.

10 | AUGUST 15 • 2024 
J
N

FRANKEL JEWISH ACADEMY MEDIA ARTS CLASS

